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Award for climate change policy and adaptation

POHNPEI, FSM (Kaselehlie Press, July 1, 2014) – The FSM was awarded a Globe award for its Climate Change legislation during a meeting of more than 70 parliaments and houses of Congress in Mexico City.

On June 6-8, Sens. Yosiwo George, David W. Panuelo, and Berney Martin represented the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia at the GLOBE International World Summit of Legislators in Mexico City.

Globe International or the Global Legislators Organization is a non-profit political organization that seeks to advance law on climate change, national capital accounting, and forests.

During the 2nd World Summit of Legislators meeting, Panuelo co-chaired a parallel session with a legislator from Bangladesh. The session addressed Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

At the end of the summit two awards were presented for efforts on climate change policy and adaptation. The FSM Congress...

4 major US DOD projects in the region will require consultation

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, July 3, 2014) – Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne seeks the CNMI’s continued engagement and input on four major ongoing military initiatives in the region that he concedes could be sometimes confusing to people, mostly because of overlapping timelines—from a proposed expansion of existing military training areas to the proposed use of Pagan as well as developing a divert airfield on Saipan or Tinian.

Payne is the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas commander and Joint Region Marianas commander.

At the same time, Payne told the Saipan Chamber of Commerce that he sees a "tremendous nexus" between the business community and the military, both of which will benefit from a stable and peaceful region for economic and military purposes.

"The economic factors that contribute to increased tourism all become obsolete or irrelevant if there’s instability,...

Hou hopes case is deterrent to misappropriation of public funds

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, July 2, 2014) – The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Rick Hou has commended all parties involve on the recent court decision to convict and sentence Wesley Poloso of the fake shipping company "Joke Shipping".

In a statement Mr Hou said Poloso was a key player (amongst others) in a scam to rip off funds from the Government that were provided for health care purposes in the provinces.

Minister Hou said the fraud denied people living in the provinces of much needed health care that the Government together with donor partners is striving hard to provide.

He highlighted Poloso is just one of several persons of interest in relation to this matter, including public officers involved in the $10 million fraud at the Ministry of Health.

Investigations are still ongoing and further persons of interest are expected to be eventually charged and face the...

Aid grant reportedly offered for conducting elections

By Vuniwaqa Bola-Bari

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 2, 2014) – The European Union says its unaware of allegations that one of their commissioners allegedly bribed the Fijian Prime Minister with aid grant to hold election.

A report by the Fairfax media titled, "Bula bully?", stated that Bainimarama had told her how an EU Commissioner had offered him 500million Euros [$US684,330,000] in aid if he held elections.

However, speaking to FijiLive, spokesperson for the EU says they are not aware.

"The EU Delegation is not aware of such an offer as alleged in the article," the spokesperson said.

The article quoted PM Bainimarama in his reply to the EU commissioner saying "You think Fiji is like some African Country, and every time we have a coup, you just give us money? I nearly hit him over the head with a bottle of Fiji Water."